The Unseen is Eternal

 

Hello dear friends,

This morning as I was having my morning devotions, these thoughts were strongly on my heart, and I wanted to share them, in the hope that they will encourage someone.

As many of you know I don't have very good health. I have asthma and it affects me in a way that makes me very sensitive to so many things: pollen, cold air, damp air, rain, humidity etc. Humidity is one of the worst, it sucks the life out of me and leaves me completely exhausted. My body is like a barometer. I know by how I feel what the weather is doing or going to do. The worst thing about it is that apart from dark circles around my eyes, nothing is really visible to show I am unwell. It has caused me so much difficulty in my life. I've had to cancel many things and are often unable to attend various commitments as I feel so weak, exhausted and hard to breathe.....BUT.... :) I had a little revelation this morning. 

...I realised that this 'health' situation at least keeps me very close to Jesus. Because of it I am constantly in prayer asking the Holy Spirit for strength to get me through the day. On days when my health is better, do I seek Him as much? possibly not..which saddens me. Some days I surrender to the situation and just have to lay in bed, but most of the time I do try to press on and at least do my housework and cook a meal. For those with similar health problems, please know that I understand. Our confidence has to be in God and not in what others think of us, especially when we often have to let people down because of our health.

I have cried out to the Lord so many times to heal me and I am not healed yet...but I still press on. So I have to look at life in a different way. I ask myself these questions. How do I live my life as a person with bad health? Is it my 'thorn in the flesh', and something I will have to bear and go through my life with? How can I still serve God and bring him glory within these limitations?  How do I continue to keep up with my home and garden and be a loving wife?

You'll be pleased to know I've come up with some answers, or the Holy Spirit helped me :)

HOW TO MAKE IT THROUGH LIFE:

1. I have simplified my life to do only what I know I can realistically achieve. I've had to let go of some things (which was hard), but in the long run its for the best. This isn't to say I don't challenge myself, because I do, but generally these things apply. I help my daughter with the children, but now I am doing less days. I have cut back on many many products that I used to make for my online soap business, to almost only making soap. It is what it is. I am too tired of trying to keep up. It just strips me of my peace and joy. Don't try to keep up, just do what you can and be happy about that.  eg.Yeh!!! I got the vacuuming done...some days that might be my one achievement.

2. I have more realistic expectations. I know my garden is never going to be completely weed free. We have a huge garden and often I can't even get out there because of the weather. It's just how it is. I know there are times when my house will not be spotless, well quite often actually. If I'm unwell, I need to rest. I do what I can...and the rest will wait.

3. I know I will let people down and disappoint people. It's happened a lot.  But that's really out of my control. I have to accept my lot in life and enjoy my life even so. I suggest building yourself up in your faith, trusting and being confident in the fact that God loves you. He knows your heart and he cares. He will never leave you. He is merciful, gracious and always there for you to talk to. He understands like no-one else. 

4. When you have a good day, don't try to do everything......don't ask me why I say this :)

5. Don't feel bad or think there is something wrong with you because God hasn't chosen to heal you. If your in one of those religions that think this way, then leave, or don't listen to them. God choses not to heal lots of people. It's true. It happens all the time. Just look around you. Be one of those people that presses in deeper regardless :) Rise above it.

6. Finally - this world is not my home. When I leave this mortal coil, I will have to give an account for my life. I don't want to stand before the Lord and be ashamed. I want to know and believe in my heart that I did the best I could, that I relied on Him for strength, that He was Lord of my Life and no-one else. The very fact my health is bad makes me press into Him and rely on Him for strength. 

Do His will in whatever way you can. Share His love in every way you can. Be His voice and His arms. There are a myriad of ways we can still serve in this life, even when we're limited physically. I find simply blogging a way to encourage others and be encouraged at the same time :) 

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This post was titled 'The Unseen is Eternal' and knowing this encourages me.

2 Corinthians 16 - 18 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, 

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us 

an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

1 Corinthians 13: 12

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror,

then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,

even as I am fully known.

Psalm 73: 23 - 24

Yet I am always with you,

you hold e by my right hand. 

You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will take

me into glory.

I do pray this writing will encourage someone. It was a revelation to my heart this morning that even though my health isn't always good, this very thing causes me to seek the Lord for strength. Maybe I knew that before but sort of forgot. For that alone I am very thankful...that I don't charge through life in my own strength. Be blessed and know that God loves you. ~ Linda